Courtesy: USAT

Approximately 239 U.S. age group triathletes will descend on the island of Madeira, Portugal this week to compete Saturday in the 2004 International Triathlon Union (ITU) Triathlon World Championships.

The race will be Olympic distance - 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run, except for juniors, who will do a 750m swim, a 20.4k bike and a 5k run. Age groupers will race Saturday along with juniors and athletes with a disability. Under-23 and elite triathletes will race Sunday.

Among the recent world champions who will be competing in Madeira are: Michael Boehmer (Delafield, Wis.; M25-29), Jim Bruskewitz (Madison, Wis.; M50-54), Sister Madonna Buder (Spokane, Wash.; W70-74), Celeste Callahan (Denver, Colo.; W60- 64), Karen McKeachie (Ann Arbor, Mich.; W50-54), Jan Miller (Marana, Ariz.; W65-69) and Donna Smyers (Montpelier, Vt.; W45- 49).

A complete list of the age group team is posted at www.usatriathlon.org.

The junior team will consist of Paul Lancaster (17; Wellington, Fla.), Taylor Tolleson (18; Pacific Grove, Calif.), Kyle Hughes (17; Lake Forest, Calif.), Steven Duplinsky (16; Kensington, Md.), Amanda Hahn (17; Gainesville, Fla.), Jasmine Oeinck (18; Centennial, Colo.) and Jennifer Spieldenner (17; Findlay, Ohio).

The under-23 team will consist of Brandon Barrett (Lincoln, Neb.), Logan Wealing (22; Fowler, Ind.), Sara Tarkington (22; Boulder, Colo.), Caitlin Shea- Kenney (21; Plymouth, Mass.) and Kelsey Withrow (21; Woodinville, Wash.).

For more information and results after the race, go to www.triathlon.org.